Federal officials have revealed another recall of a food product due to possible contamination of salmonella. The bacteria can cause a range of sicknesses including diarrhea, abdominal cramps and high fever.
The U.S Dept. of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed on Thursday, Aug. 13, that Kapowsin Meats, a hog wholesaler based in Graham, Washington, is recalling about 116,262 lbs. of whole hogs due to possible contamination of salmonella.
Food that is contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria.
Symptoms of infection often last four to seven days but health problems could be more severe to certain individuals such as infants, older adults and those with weakened immune system. Individuals who experience more severe symptoms may need to be hospitalized.
The particular product for recall is Kapowsin Meats' hogs for barbecue items that were produced between April 18, 2015 and July 27, 2015. Subjected for recall where whole hogs that bear the establishment number "Est. 1628" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The FSIS was notified by the Washington State Department of Health on July 15 that it was conducting investigation of salmonella illnesses in the state. Health officials later found that there is a link between these infections to whole hogs for barbecue that are produced by Kapowsin Meats.
Traceback investigation found 32 cases wherein the patients consumed whole hogs for barbecue from the establishment before they fell ill.
"These illnesses are part of a larger illness investigation. Based on epidemiological evidence, 134 case-patients have been identified in Washington with illness onset dates ranging from April 25, 2015 to July 29, 2015," FSIS said in a statement.
FSIS and Kapowsin Meats are also concerned that some consumers may have contaminated meat stored in their freezers. Affected meats were shopped to retail shops, distributors and consumers in Washington and Alaska.
Kapowsin Meats likewise appears to be in more trouble as it now faces a law suit filed by national food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates on behalf of Tiffany Guiles and her teenage daughter, Naylyn Guiles.
Naylyn suffered from high fever, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, vomiting and abdominal pain from salmonella as a result of eating whole roasted hog that was bought from Kapowsin Meats. The 19-year old girl is among the 32 individuals who contracted salmonella after eating whole hogs produced by the company.
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